Pregnant women should seek medical advice before they fly to help reduce any risk of potentially fatal deep vein thrombosis (DVT), the government said today. Women taking the contraceptive pill, mothers who have recently given birth and those taking hormone replacement therapy should also consult their pharmacist, antenatal team or health visitor, health officials stressed.
Announcing new guidelines for passengers and the airline industry on DVT, which afflicts one in 2,000 people each year, the government encouraged women to carry out simple in-seat exercises while flying.
Groups known to be at risk of the condition, such as those with a history of it, people who have had cancer, and anyone who has suffered a stroke or undergone surgery within the past three months should also obtain medical advice before they travel.
DVT has been dubbed economy class syndrome because of the suspected links between blood clots and cramped conditions, and is more common in women who are pregnant or on the pill. It can cause death if the blood clots, which generally form in the legs, break away and block the lungs.
The Department of Health stressed the link between long-haul travel and DVT remains "uncertain" and that further research is needed into the condition. Dr Pat Troop, deputy chief medical officer, said: "We take the health of aircraft passengers and crew members very seriously. We have today issued the most up-to-date information and advice to the airlines and the public about minimising the risk of DVT during long journeys.
"Blood clots can occur when people remain immobile and seated for long periods of time and therefore could occur in a range of travel situations."
British scientists have found that one in 10 people who travelled on long-haul flights had the symptoms of DVT in their calf veins and could be at risk of developing lethal clots. About 10 people a year die from a blood clot in the lungs within minutes of arriving at Heathrow Airport. In order to reduce risk, airlines currently recommend that passengers should reduce alcohol intake, drink adequate fluids, wear loose clothing and perform leg exercises while seated.
New advice has been issued today to airlines and will be made available to the public through NHS Direct, the internet, airlines and health services. It encourages people to discuss the use of blood-thinning drugs or elastic stockings if they are in a high-risk group but said there is no evidence aspirin is effective in preventing travel-related DVT. The Department of Health also pledged to keep their recommendations under review in light of any further research.
The government is currently in discussion with the World Health Organisation on plans to carry out international research into DVT. Simon Evans, of the Air Transport Users Council, said: "I am delighted to see the government and airlines acting to help broaden out understanding of DVT." There are fears airlines could face a compensation bill of more than £10m for failing to warn UK travellers about the dangers of DVT. They have been criticised in the past for not offering enough information to passengers about the condition.
British Airways said it welcomed the new government guidelines and stressed that it had, for nearly a decade, provided its passengers with advice about well-being in the air through an on-board video and information in the in-flight magazine.
BA went on: "The information British Airways provides to passengers on DVT and other health issues is continually updated and improved. New measures the airline has taken recently include the introduction of a healthy journey leaflet which goes into every ticket wallet, a health web site, and regular health and well-being articles in our in-flight magazine." The airline said it agreed with the government that further, substantial research into any link between DVT and air travel was required, and added: "We remain committed to taking part in this and will be participating in next month's meeting in Geneva at which there will be further discussion regarding the proposed research by the World Health Organisation."
A spokesman for Virgin Atlantic Airways said: "We welcome the government advice and the fact that they are saying there is no proven link between DVT and flying. The government's advice is similar to what we, and other airlines, have been giving, which includes advice that passengers should regularly exercise on flights."
